Trama

An unexpected turn among the settlers leaves Floki powerless. King Alfred confronts Judith. Bjorn must strike a deal with Harald. Wessex is once again threatened by a Viking force, but who will lead the Saxon army to defend the Realm?

In Wessex, Alfred learns that his brother died and later Judith tells him that she poisoned her son Aethelred. Alfred wants to lead his army, but Ubbe tries to persuade him to command the Saxon army instead. In Iceland, Floki witnesses what he has built with his madness and a family is slaughtered in a betrayal.—Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Alfred regains his health just when his elder brother Aethelred is buried with pomp after a mysterious death, which queen-mother Judith reveals was her poison, scolding Alfred as king must do such terrible things to stay in power. The news of a large fleet of Danes approaching Wessex enables Ubbe to convince Alfred to give him free hand as Saxon-Viking army commander. In York, Harald must offer ally Bjorn the same deal with he had with common enemy Ivar, whom they plan to overthrow: when Bjorn dies, Harald may succeed as king of Kattegat will be Harald's. Gunnhild remains Bjorn's lover but privately implies she will marry Harald when he is king of Norway. In Kattegat, 'god' Ivar anxiously forces 'disloyal' Hvitserk -by threatening his hostage-made partner- to go on a diplomatic mission to his northern ally Olaf the Stout. In Iceland, Floki is held at knife-point while the rescue party which Eyvind and his family welcomed in a terrible state are traitorously murdered by Kjetill and Frodi. Floki begs to spare at least loyal Helgi, but Kjetill decapitates him and places the heads on spikes. After Floki recounts the bloodbath in the settlement, Aud jumps to death into Gullfoss waterfall.—KGF Vissers

Aethelred is buried as Alfred regains his health. Alfred attends Aethelred's funeral and cannot believe Judith's explanation that Aethelred simply collapsed while having a meal. Judith sends Ethelfled back home to her mother as she anyways was not her choice.

Judith reveals that she had poisoned him to death. She claims that Aethelred confessed to plotting against Alfred and saw him as a usurper of his throne. Judith says that Aethelred would be tempted to join any plot or conspiracy, so long as it got him sitting on the throne. Alfred is furious but Judith maintains that doing terrible things is necessary to stay in power.

Hearing that a large fleet of Dane Vikings is approaching Wessex, Ubbe convinces the king to make him leader of his army. Alfred says that the Dane Vikings have sailed from their base in Dublin with at least 300 ships. Alfred can provide 2000 warriors for his army. Ubbe says that as head of the army, he will find a way of dealing with the Danes.

In York, Harald makes the same deal with Bjorn that he had with Ivar: when Bjorn dies, Kattegat will be Harald's. Bjorn swear this on his sacred arm ring and on the life of his intended wife Gunnhild. Bjorn wants to sail in the winter as Ivar will never be expecting them, but Harald says that there are many storms in the sea during the winter months. Bjorn says that Ragnar spoke to him in a dream and assured him of a safe passage to Kattegat.

Harald approaches Gunnhild in private and admits his feelings; Gunnhild implies she will marry Harald when he is king of Norway. Judith finds a tumor on her body. Gunnhild approaches Bjorn and they have sex.

In Kattegat, Ivar changes the rules for his citizens. He decrees that only his trusted people will now be allowed to vote on matters concerning the city. Ivar then asks his citizens to report the rebels among them, including their own family members or their friends and neighbors.

Ivar grows anxious about Hvitserk and wants to have him killed. Ivar forces Hvitserk to go on a diplomatic mission to his ally Olaf the Stout. He wants Hvitserk to strengthen their alliance with Olaf and to prepare his forces for their spring attack on York and Wessex.

Hvitserk had been in a sexual relationship with a girl named Thora (Eve Connolly). Ivar threatens to burn Thora alive if Hvitserk refused to comply with his orders.

In Iceland, the rescue party finds Eyvind and his family in a terrible state. While Floki is held at knife-point, Kjetill and Frodi massacre Eyvind and his entire family. Kjetill reveals that he had been planning this for a very long time. He claims that his only ambition is revenge against what was done to his daughter. Floki begs for Helgi's life as he is a good man and he loved Thorunn, but Kjetill decapitates the latter and places his head on a spike.

When the group returns home, Floki recounts the bloodbath, and Aud throws herself into Gullfoss (a waterfall). Floki is disillusioned with his creation and realizes that Vikings will always be true to their violent nature.